Sad to say, but I’m usually not the “glass half-full” person in the room. I overanalyze things, considering what could go wrong rather than what could go right.

Over the past few months, my glass-half-empty feeling has been stronger than usual. I think it’s because of the incessant barrage of negativity about our country and the world that is becoming harder and harder to avoid.

Given my family history and current health, I am figuring that I’ll probably live into my 90’s – another two decades. I’d like those years to be as happy as possible.

So, here are a few things I’ve been doing recently:

I’m not watching TV network news

Today’s broadcasts are much more “in your face” and intense than in the old days. By the time 28 minutes go by and I watch the last two minute “Here’s a happy story” story, I feel the need for a strong alcoholic beverage.

That’s not to say that I don’t want to know what’s going on in the world. I just don’t need to be bombarded with heavy drama every night. Reading selected magazine or newspaper articles, or watching an occasional video on my iPad works just fine for me. I stay informed without feeling the need to hit the booze.

I have seriously reduced my time on social media

This past week, I decided to block all national news media postings on Facebook.

I also used the unfollow option with people who primarily post political opinions or news stories they have decided are important for everyone to read. Most of the posts are negative on one side or the other … we won, you lost, you’re stupid, no you’re stupid, he’s stupid, she’s stupid and on and on. I realized that I can still be “friends” with them and visit their tirades anytime I want and they won’t even know I’m not following them. A win-win!

I signed up with Facebook so that I could scroll through my news feed to see photos of my step- kids and grandkids, to find out what my friends and family members are doing on this year’s vacation, and to post pictures of my beautiful dogs and/or my handsome husband being adorable.

My “news feed” is much smaller now, and I’m a lot happier.

I’m spending time with positive, happy people who don’t need to solve the problems of the world over dinner.

Enough said.

It’s not that I don’t care about what’s happening in the country or the world or that I don’t have strong opinions. In fact, I can get pretty riled up about things.

And, I’m really happy that there are people who are passionate enough to speak out on both sides of political issues, to take up causes, to hold others accountable and to work to make a difference.

Maybe it’s selfish not to get more involved. But, I am, after all, one of the “Me Generation” Baby Boomers.

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3 Comments

Jeni
Jun 01, 2017 @
06:27:58

I so strongly agree with you! I have been feeling exactly the same as you about FB and continual media coverage.Last night I ended up with stress in my stomach after ten minutes of the debate which I felt it my duty to watch. No more. Thank you for leading the way!

A great post. Too much of our news is sensationalised and designed to provoke negativity and argument. It never ceases to amaze and trouble me that seemingly intelligent, perfectly nice people become so horribly critical of anyone who does not share their opinions on politics. There has been some very strong opinion surrounding the UK’s exit of the EU and the level of vitriol and criticism for those who voted differently from others in referendum has been nothing less than astonishing. Whatever our opinions, whatever the next person’s opinions -we live in a democracy and are all entitled to our own.